It may be noted that from 12th December 2022, the UAE started offering Emirates ID cards. Now, as per the latest reports, the authority has given instructions to link the UAE visas to the residents’ Emirates IDs. Now, they don’t need to carry a passport with the country’s visa sticker that shows the validity as well as residency.

As per the latest information, the GDRFA- General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs has eliminated the procedure of residency visa stamping in the passport. Besides, the report also says UAE residence visas don’t need to follow the stamping procedure while issuing and renewing resident visas. 

Earlier, a pink-coloured visa sticker on the residence’s passport served as primary residency proof. People had to submit a photocopy of the same to acquire different services, asking a valid residence proof. The immigration authority also checked the visa sticker to make sure the residence had the required travel clearance. 

Now Travel Without Any Hassle With Emirates ID

As per the information, the Federal Authority for ICP- Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security, in May 2022, had informed about the merging of two different applications. Speaking about the applications, one is for the issuance of a new Emirates ID, and the second one is for UAE residents’ visa renewal.

The new move by ICP to combine the identity and residence applications will help the citizens to follow a single procedure instead of two separate procedures. Furthermore, the ICP also has informed that there will be a single form for services related to the renewal or issuance of Emirates ID and UAE residence visa.

This will also help the Airlines to easily verify the UAE residency of a person just by using his/her passport number and Emirates ID. For verification of the information, all the airlines can integrate passport readers at the airports. 

Before such changes, people applying for renewal or new residence visas were required to get their passports stamped with the visa. Now their Emirate ID will work as a primary identification document. 

While announcing the changes, the authority also informed that UAE residents can use the UAEICP official app or the official ICP website to access their Emirates ID online. 

After granting residence,  individuals can also download a copy of an e-residence and enjoy their travel using their Emirates ID. There is no need to collect the passport. 

One Card For Different Services

The new Emirates ID cards have recently received some major upgrades, and they carry all the required residency-related information that a visa sticker carries. These ID cards come with professional and personal data, non-readable and readable data, the issuing entity and more. 

The EIDA- Emirates Identification  Authority is responsible for issuing the Emirates ID. This card can be used for different transactions, for example, paying utility bills, internet, vehicle registration, proof of identity, etc. In the year 2016, the authority replaced health insurance cards with Emirate IDs. It is mandatory for all residents to always carry their Emirates ID with them. 

Image Credits- Anna Tarazevich(pexels)